Waynesboro woman convicted of animal cruelty charges

A Waynesboro woman was barred from this home at 471 W. Fourth St., Waynesboro over the summer. (Public Opinion — File)

WAYNESBORO &GT;&GT; A Waynesboro woman was convicted of animal cruelty counts on Wednesday.

Dorothy Lavon Sherry, was charged with 42 counts of animal cruelty on Aug. 15, and attended a disposition hearing with Magisterial District Judge Larry Pentz Wednesday where she was convicted on all counts.

According to court documents, Sherry's home at 471 W. Fourth St. had at least 20 cats on the premises when Waynesboro Police officers and borough representatives entered the home on July 21.

Officers had previously noted a strong smell of ammonia outside the property, and the residence lacked "basic maintenance," according to a memo from Waynesboro Borough Code/Zoning Officer Daniel H. Sheffler.

Multiple cats were observed in unhealthy conditions, including a cat with open wounds and wearing make-shift bandages, according to Sheffler.

At the time, Antietam Humane Society Officer Andrea Haugh removed numerous cats from the residence due to the need for immediate serious medical attention, according Sheffler.

Waynesboro Borough has also filed an injunction against Sherry for the violations of multiple code ordinances they found on Sherry's property.

The injunction prevented Sherry from living at her home, and forbid anyone to enter the property until she had remedied the condition of the house and met borough codes. The injunction has not been resolved.

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According to the original police report, Loretta Sherry, and her daughter were arguing the day an officer was in the neighborhood, and the daughter was heard saying "Did you tell the police about the 70 to 100 cats that are living inside the house with them peeing and pooping all over everything inside?"

Additional details of Sherry's conviction were not available in online court documents.